Bezel for 1954 Rolex 6581 Oyster Perpetual

[LittleWatchShop]

A friend of mine is trying to find a bezel for this watch. I think the chances are slim.

Hoping to tap the expertise here on the probability of finding one.

[RichardHarris123]

I don't know but I think you're correct, slim chance.  The bezel looks like a plain ring so maybe one could be made. 

[SwissSeiko]

As I recall, you have a sherline lathe, so that should be a pretty easy thing for you to make!

[AndyGSi]

Only ever seen them as part of a case.

[RichardHarris123]

1 minute ago, AndyGSi said:

Only ever seen them as part of a case.

Ouch. 

[LittleWatchShop]

On 4/17/2025 at 12:46 PM, SwissSeiko said:

As I recall, you have a sherline lathe, so that should be a pretty easy thing for you to make!

It would be fine to try. Maybe start with a larger bezel and cut it down.

[LittleWatchShop]

My friend says he wants me to proceed with making a bezel. He is not expecting rolex identical. Just a solution that will hold the crystal.

So, now my request for help has changed.

Any guidance on making the bezel would be helpful. I can only guess at the profile.

Material??

[CYCLOPS]

there is a seller on Ebay always selling bezels, he lists what they fit by case number too....

[AndyGSi]

22 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

My friend says he wants me to proceed with making a bezel. He is not expecting rolex identical. Just a solution that will hold the crystal.

So, now my request for help has changed.

Any guidance on making the bezel would be helpful. I can only guess at the profile.

Material??

I'd start with stainless steel tube.

[LittleWatchShop]

5 hours ago, AndyGSi said:

I'd start with stainless steel tube.

Yes indeed. I have thought about starting with a washer, but that would be unknown metal. @nickelsilver has suggested 316L on another forum. I am going to see what form I can buy...hopefully tubular as you suggest.

[HectorLooi]

There are 316 washers available.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mrOpbhZ

 

[SwissSeiko]

yes 316 stainless is what they used on these bezels. Maybe some of THESE would work, otherwise, get a 2" round bar, and turn it to your dimentions

[LittleWatchShop]

25 minutes ago, SwissSeiko said:

yes 316 stainless is what they used on these bezels. Maybe some of THESE would work, otherwise, get a 2" round bar, and turn it to your dimentions

Is there a difference between 316 and 316L. Seems like it, but ??

[HectorLooi]

316L is low carbon version.

[LittleWatchShop]

Grok says 316L is a little more machinable

[RichardHarris123]

Will the lower carbon be different colour.

[SwissSeiko]

Lower carbon will affect the hardening of the steel

[HectorLooi]

316 steel is not hardenable. It is a high corrosion resistant steel. Usually used for marine purposes. 

[SwissSeiko]

1 hour ago, HectorLooi said:

316 steel is not hardenable. It is a high corrosion resistant steel. Usually used for marine purposes. 

Hector is right, my mistake. The only way to harden it is by work hardening. But the bezel doesn't need hardening.

[LittleWatchShop]

I plan to continue this thread until done.

I received the watch today.  My first step was to make measurements.  Here they are.

Here is an image of this model watch retrieved from ebay

 

Here is my sketch of the bezel profile that I need to make.  No dimensions yet as I am pondering that.

 

Question:

Should the bezel grip the crystal?  The crystal is already gripping a lip of the case.

Here is a prototype I 3d printed just to get a sense of what i am dealing with

Edited Wednesday at 09:01 PM by LittleWatchShop

[Kalanag]

Case with bezel on Ebay

Oops, not a 6581 

Edited yesterday at 08:46 AM by Kalanag

[LittleWatchShop]

My drawings are not to scale, BTW.

Here is the FreeCAD illustration of what was printed. It has been very helpful to hold the printed bezel in my hand to get a sense of scale.

My plan over the next few days is to get some fender washers. They come in a nearly ideal thickness and and OD that is close to what I want.

I will make a precision arbor to hold the washer in my lathe to turn the outside dimension. 

Still pondering the best strategy for the inside cut.

[rjenkinsgb]

You could get one 3D printed in stainless or titanium? 

Add the rest of the original detail to your existing model and proof check it comes out OK in plastic, then have it done by JLC, Shapeways etc.

Not cheap, but you could get a lot closer the original appearance?

 

[LittleWatchShop]

1 hour ago, rjenkinsgb said:

You could get one 3D printed in stainless or titanium? 

Add the rest of the original detail to your existing model and proof check it comes out OK in plastic, then have it done by JLC, Shapeways etc.

Not cheap, but you could get a lot closer the original appearance?

 

I have pondered such a plan. The unfortunate aspect of my 3d printing is accuracy. Not so great. So if I print something that works, I am almost guaranteed that the dimensions are not what was drawn. My purpose, even if inaccurate, was just to get a feel for the fit.

I will look in to these service providers, though.

Bear in mind, however, that part of the joy (if not all of it) is solving this myself. Otherwise, I just go mow the lawn or split wood or some other mundane task.

[Gula67]

Hi,what is the model number for that case? Is possible I have one for service with me,if so then I can measure for you the factory size of the bezel